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eight light sources connected to DMX controllers.
To increase the effect of perception and decep-
tion, a large mirror was mounted at the end of the
container to double the space and effect.There was
a lot of wiring work in a small space and keeping
track of which wires were attached to which con-
trollers gave the installers new respect for Telkom
technicians who regularly deal with busy street
corner telephone junction boxes.
DMX modules offer a great deal of flexibility
when controlling light and sound in unison and are
currently the optimum hardware for manipulating
mood and atmosphere in a space. In the short
time available to complete the light container it
was not possible to use the DMX controls to their
full capacity and in the end the team defaulted to
standard sequences.
Over the four week period that the container was
on display, thousands of people moved in and out of
the space with a variety of responses; children were
particularly fascinated, and sometimes a little wary.
Looking at the container from outside it was
hard to imagine the sense of depth and movement
inside - sound, colour, patterns of artificial light all
moving in an unpredictable vortex. Many visitors felt
drawn towards the entrance, some were transfixed
and others found it difficult to negotiate their next
move. Some felt at home moving between the
plays of light that encapsulated them and others
were disappointed that the exit was not a portal to
their favourite night club!
South Africa has some outstanding design tal-
ent. However, unlike the USA or many countries
in Europe, we do not always have the resources
to support this talent to a point where it is self-
sustaining. Young designers need to work hard to
gain the recognition necessary to create a market
for themselves that can sustain their ongoing ef-
forts and this project was a great opportunity to
inspire them.
The sponsors were: ELDC; Gibb Engineering;
LED Lighting SA; MDS Architecture; Pamboukian
lightdesign; Regent Light Solutions; SA Fashion
Week and VISI.
Article by Pierre van Helden, LED Lighting SA
Scan to view the installation
in progress.
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LiD
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